Onoclea sensibilis	type	Images:	STERILE FERTILE
Sensitive Fern	fern	species	FERTILE in snow

size(ft) 1-2 cut 2 (partial) decid. deciduous garden invasive	ID tips Coarse fronds not cut entirely to rachis; pinna margins scalloped, not toothed (Woodwardia areolata sterile fronds similar, but pinna margins toothed not scalloped) Fertile fronds, shorter than sterile, emerge midsummer, remain erect all winter, release spores early following spring. One of our easiest ferns to identify in January.
where wet areas ME NH VT MA RI CT click C C C C C C for key	Comment New fronds emerge from rapidly spreading rhizome. Fronds variable; "mowed" form has sori on back of sterile-looking frond. Fronds die readily in drought or frost, but are quickly replaced when conditions improve.
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